Chapter 45 (None)
No one wants to admit their mediocrity. In Jiang Ling's view, more than 90% of the so-called unappreciated talents in the world are due to insufficient self-awareness and an inflated sense of self-importance.
Jiang Wenxiu, the father, is nearly fifty years old and has never been promoted; to date, he is only a minor county magistrate. His only son, Jiang Chengwang, is over thirty and has accomplished nothing; he and his wife and children rely on his father for a living.
A minor county magistrate governs a county; if he can effectively manage the area and benefit the people, even if he is not valued by his superiors, he will at least be loved and respected by the people.
If one cultivates a good relationship with superiors and uses flattery, fawning, and gift-giving as means, one would certainly have been promoted long ago.
While scheming and maneuvering are dishonorable, they are commonplace and ubiquitous in officialdom. Whether Jiang Wenxiu disdains them or simply doesn't understand them, it's enough to show that he's not suited for officialdom.
Emperor Yuanming forcibly transferred him to the capital, plunging him headlong into the center of power, much like throwing someone who couldn't swim into a deep pool.
Jiang Ling realized her tone was off and forced herself to control her emotions, asking, "Your Majesty, who exactly proposed summoning my father to the capital?"
Emperor Yuanming had thought that promoting the Jiang family would please Jiang Ling. Little did he expect that his favor would be seen as a monstrous threat, and that he was being harmed by her.
He frowned, his face darkening noticeably, and said with displeasure, "Summoning your father to the capital is by my decree. Do you think I intend to harm you?"
Jiang Ling, realizing it was him who was so self-righteous, gritted her teeth inwardly, wishing she could scratch his face. She tried to force a smile, but found it impossible, so she simply asked with a stern face, "Your Majesty, please disregard me and judge by the Ministry of Personnel's assessment. Does my father qualify to be transferred to the capital? And what official position does Your Majesty intend to appoint him to after he is transferred?"
"The officials I want to promote are merely from the Ministry of Personnel; even the Council of State Affairs wouldn't dare to stop me!"
Emperor Yuanming summoned Jiang Wenxiu to the capital, intending to arrange a lucrative post for him in one of the Six Ministries, while granting Jiang Chengwang a sinecure through imperial favor.
Jiang Ling's family was finally able to reunite in the capital. Her mother and sister-in-law could often visit her in the palace and keep her company, so she wouldn't be bored all the time.
When Jiang Lingyi questioned him, Emperor Yuanming was furious and said in a deep voice, "My decree has been issued, how dare you object! As a concubine, you must abide by the rules, remember your duty, and not interfere in state affairs!"
"Your Majesty has never concerned yourself with the affairs of the previous dynasty, only with matters concerning your family. Your Majesty has specifically told you that you must make your stance clear. I believe that Father should only hold office according to his abilities. If the position is too high, Father will not be able to hold it properly."
Although Jiang Ling was not familiar with the Jiang family, he was closely connected with them. Emperor Yuanming's attitude was resolute; as the supreme ruler, his face was of utmost importance, and he was already furious.
Even if you escape this time, there might be a next time.
Jiang Ling took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty must promote my father. I beg Your Majesty to grant the Jiang family a pardon from death, at least ten times!"
Emperor Yuanming was almost amused by Jiang Ling's outburst, and roared, "Truly ignorant and incompetent! What kind of pardon is this? That's called an ironclad decree! With me here, who dares to do anything to your father? Ten times... sigh, sigh, sigh..."
His words were interrupted by Jiang Ling, who suddenly pounced on him. He hurriedly caught her, annoyed and helpless, and said, "What are you doing? Look at your reckless nature. If I hadn't caught you, you would have fallen to the ground!"
"Waaaaah."
Jiang Ling cast aside her shame and desperately tried to imitate the coquettish manner of a favored concubine. She buried her head in front of Emperor Yuanming and cried dryly, using a high-pitched, affected voice to shout incoherently, "Your Majesty, no! Your Majesty, please grant my request! I'm so scared! I'm really scared!"
When the topic of fear came up, Jiang Ling felt a surge of sadness and squeezed out a few genuine tears.
Emperor Yuanming was rubbed and kneaded by Jiang Ling. He leaned back with a look of disgust on his face, but his hands were still on her shoulders.
Remembering her feigned crying earlier, Emperor Yuanming looked at her suspiciously. When he saw the undisguised panic and sorrow in her eyes, he was taken aback.
"Although she was incredibly audacious, she only dared to indulge in wild thoughts in secret. She was usually very proper and rarely left her quarters. She was also kind-hearted and could even forgive the palace maids who betrayed her."
Emperor Yuanming couldn't help but feel sorry for Jiang Ling. "Alas, she was really frightened. Oh well, the iron certificate can't protect against treason. Jiang Wenxiu is not very capable and is just a civil official. What harm is there in giving her the iron certificate?"
"Your Majesty, sob sob..." Jiang Ling lowered her head and wept, her heart filled with anxiety. She could no longer cry, and secretly pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve, preparing to wipe her eyes.
"Don't cry! I promise you." Emperor Yuanming said softly, raising his hand to stroke Jiang Ling's face. "Look at you, your eyes are all red..."
Jiang Ling was overjoyed. Her crying stopped abruptly, and she instinctively turned her head to the side to avoid the hand that Emperor Yuanming reached out to her.
Emperor Yuanming's hand missed its mark, and the doting smile froze on his face.
Seeing that Emperor Yuanming was about to turn hostile, Jiang Ling reacted unusually quickly, cleverly rising to her feet and kneeling down: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"
Emperor Yuanming saw that Jiang Ling was there to express her gratitude, and it was rare that she didn't verbally thank him while inwardly cursing him. He felt a sense of relief. His displeasure dissipated, and he quickly leaned over to help Jiang Ling up: "Just remember, I treat you differently from others. Don't cause any more trouble in the future."
"Your Majesty, I remember. There is one more thing I would like to ask for your permission."
Jiang Ling, fearing that Emperor Yuanming would stroke her face again, quietly took a step back and said, "Your Majesty, I implore you to keep the Iron Certificate with me and not tell Father about this. I fear that with the Iron Certificate protecting him, Father will act recklessly and commit heinous acts, betraying Your Majesty's grace."
"Alright, whatever you say." Emperor Yuanming thought even more highly of Jiang Ling because she did not indulge the Jiang family because of the iron certificate, and readily agreed.
Jiang Ling thanked the emperor, but inwardly cried out, "Oh dear! How foolish I was! Why didn't I ask for one for myself too! I wouldn't be sentenced to death, nor would I be demoted or stripped of my title. I'd be guaranteed ice in summer and silver charcoal in winter, fish and shrimp every day, and fresh vegetables. I'd also have fine clothes, a spacious palace, and live there all by myself. Is it too late to cry again?"
Emperor Yuanming listened expressionlessly, speechless with emotion. Seeing her eyes darting around furtively, he immediately said, "The iron certificate and edict are made of pig iron, which will take some time. I will hand them over to you after they are completed. I have other matters to attend to at court; you may leave."
"He's very stingy. If I ask for it again, he might change his mind and take back the iron certificate he received earlier," Jiang Ling thought to himself. Although he regretted it deeply, he didn't say anything more, bowed, and took his leave.
Emperor Yuanming, having heard her repeatedly accuse him of being stingy, couldn't help but become suspicious: "Could it be that she really is a bit stingy? Otherwise, why would she keep bringing this up? Fine, after the Jiang family arrives in the capital, I'll give them plenty of benefits. Mansions in the capital are expensive, so I'll reward the Jiang family with a house and some gold and silver to settle them in. Hmm, I'll also arrange lucrative positions for the Jiang father and son in the Six Ministries. Hmph, let's see what she has to say then!"
Back at Fanying Pavilion, Jiang Ling collapsed onto the couch, exhausted, her whole body aching. Wen Juan carried a teacup into the room, while A'Ruo followed anxiously behind her with a small stove, diligently helping to boil water.
"My beauty, I have packed Fanghe's luggage. Would you like to take a look?" Wenjuan said softly.
Jiang Ling was silent for a moment, then said, "This is what she earned with her life. You can keep it for her."
Wenjuan acknowledged and bowed as she withdrew. A'ruo sat on a small stool, staring blankly at the small stove.
Seeing that she was quite frightened, Jiang Ling hoped that she could truly come to her senses, so he said no more. He only said, "From now on, only the two of you will serve me closely. The Inner Ministry will send a few more newly arrived palace maids over. Wenjuan, you will have to work harder and keep an eye on them, teaching them manners."
If it weren't for Jiang Ling's protection before Emperor Yuanming, Fanghe would have been beaten to death long ago. Such loyalty and sense of responsibility are extremely rare in the imperial harem.
Wenjuan was naturally convinced of Jiang Ling's loyalty and said, "Don't worry, my lady, I will keep an eye on them. The newly arrived palace maids will be taught manners by the female instructors from the Inner Ministry of Rites. I will only give them a few pointers from time to time, so it's not a big deal."
Jiang Ling hummed in agreement and closed his eyes to rest. Just as A'Ruo finished boiling water, Hu Shanggong from the Inner Ministry of Personnel, Zhang Shanggong from the Shanggong Bureau who was in charge of the etiquette of the palace maids, and the female official from the Sibu Si who was in charge of the list of palace maids, arrived with six young palace maids who were in their early teens.
"My lady, His Majesty has instructed that you serve first, and if he is not satisfied, I will select someone else and send him over," said Hu Shanggong with a smile on her face and utmost respect.
Jiang Ling looked at the row of young palace maids. They had youthful faces, were all pretty and dignified. Although they seemed restrained and nervous, their manners were impeccable, with their heads lowered, eyes lowered, and hands clasped in respect.
Since Emperor Yuanming personally issued the decree and Hu Shanggong sent the person so quickly, Jiang Ling estimated that they wouldn't have enough time and didn't dare to randomly assign people. She politely said, "Thank you for your trouble, Hu Shanggong."
Hu Shanggong said she dared not, and handed the list to Jiang Ling and the maid. The three of them bowed and took their leave.
Wenjuan and Aruo stood to one side. Jiang Ling thought for a moment and said, "From now on, you will all follow Wenjuan's arrangements and work outside. You are not allowed to be summoned or come inside."
The six responded in unison. Jiang Ling waved the list in his hand and said, "Where your home is, and your parents, relatives, and clansmen are all clearly recorded here."
At this point, Jiang Ling paused, her threat and intimidation unmistakable. Regardless of whether they understood, Jiang Ling didn't continue, instead saying, "Serving here isn't particularly good or bad. The advantage is that your work is easy; as long as you do your job well, no one will make things difficult for you. The downside is that you shouldn't go out and bully others, and you're not allowed to accept any bribes or favors. Whether you plan to leave the palace when you reach a certain age or want to stay as ladies-in-waiting, the first requirement is that you must survive."
The six children were too young to even breathe. One little palace maid, barely ten years old, trembled uncontrollably with fear.
"No matter what happens to you, don't act on your own; come and ask me first. Whatever your thoughts or difficulties, tell me first. I will do my best to help you solve what I can. If I can't do it, and you go to others and easily believe their promises, you will only be deceived and suffer great misfortune."
Jiang Ling sighed inwardly, for they were all palace maids, servants.
Hongye's search for Fanghe was instigated by Consort Li, who was the mastermind. Hongye was beaten to death, while Consort Li was merely stripped of her title. Although a consort had no official rank, she was still served by palace maids, and her food, clothing, and daily necessities were, in accordance with regulations, far superior to those of palace maids.
Having said all she had to say, Jiang Ling instructed Wen Juan to lead them away to settle in and assign them tasks. She lay back down on the couch to continue resting.
As evening approached, Consort Lin arrived. She sat down, took a sip of tea, and went straight to the point: "Consort Jiang, I have a general idea of the cause of Fang's death in the Lantern Keeper's office. Also, Consort Gao should not have died from charcoal poisoning. As for why she wanted to frame you, I can guess a little. Would you like to know?"
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